Friday, November 20, 2015

Tomorrow, I alongside a few local creators will be at the Bacon Memorial Library in Wyandotte, MI for the first Local Author Book Fair. In addition to the authors there will be a comic (and cartoon) section featuring the above artists and writers. The fun starts and three and goes until eight. Snowstorm be damned!

Saturday, November 14, 2015

In response to yesterday's cowardly attacks in Paris, I was compelled to do a cartoon, as one such as I is wont to do. The pen is mightier than the sword as ISIS knows all to well, with their fear of cartoons. They shall from this day forward be know as terrorists from ISISSY and here is how you can spot one.

Friday, November 13, 2015

Now that I see these cards hitting eBay, I'd say it's safe to show these now. These are some of the many sketch cards that I did earlier in the year for Upper Deck. The multi paneled cards have drawing on the backs of them, as well. I do have blank artist proof cards for commissions.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Here is a short interview that I did recently with Travis Mcintire from Caliber Rounds. You can check out their Facebook page here.

1.How did you end up doing work for Caliber Comics?

I helped start a sketch group about five years ago called Motor City Sketch and we had a get together at Wonderworld Comics in Taylor. Gary had put a call out for a somewhat secret project that he would like to discuss with local creators and that he would be there to talk about it. There was a pretty good turnout as can be imagined. Gary was putting together the Voices From The Deadworld book and wanted it to mainly have Michigan artists in it. I’m not sure how the selection process worked, but I was given the character Tattoo to illustrate and I was able to submit a zombie character of my own design. I had done a sketch a few years before of a hermit type guy with a black trench coat and all these pocket watches attached to it. I’m not sure if he was out of time, had nothing but time or was timeless, but I liked the imagery, so I changed him from a hermit to a zombie and sent it in. There were some funny email exchanges about this character, but in the end Gary wrote up an interesting back story for him. Since Voices of the Deadworld I have been fortunate enough to contribute illustrations for various Gary Reed publications.

2. If you could be the artist for any character or property, what would it be and why?

When I was younger, I would have killed to be the artist for The Amazing Spider-Man. He was by far my favorite character and had all the great artists on that title. Spider-Man had the best costume and would have been great to draw. I’m sure all of the buildings would have given me fits, but I could always see the attraction to drawing that title.

If we are talking about a Caliber character, then I would go with a King Zombie tale. That would be great fun. He lends himself wonderfully to great visuals with the leather biker jacket, red headband, spiked hair, etc. He’s an interesting creature to draw and explore graphically.

These days I tend to lean more to the stories I want to tell. I have three graphic novels that I have been kicking around ideas on for quite some time. They need to be done, but with being busy (which is good) I have a hard time getting to them. So many stories to tell with so little time. There’s that clock zombie coming back to haunt me. So, with that said, I need to set aside time to get these stories told.

3. What’s next on the horizon for Bruce Gerlach?

I am currently working on the third book for the Stoopid Stuf cartoons that I do with my fellow co-conspirator Kevin Minor. We seem to have a good following and were almost picked up by Universal Press Syndicate, plus we are just having too much fun in creating these off the wall and most times cheesy cartoons. It’s what we do.

I am also currently wrapping up a couple of projects for clients, including a ten page comic for a writer in Chicago and a sculpture for someone in Tennessee. I will release details about those when I can.

Also, the clock zombie tells me that a few graphic novels that need to be started…

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

After a little more than a year since winning the design competition for the aquarium weathervane, it is finally sitting atop its new home. I have been fortunate enough to have been a part of each step from conception to installation and will do weekly posts about the entire process, but for now I'd like to thank some people. Although, most of the work was done by myself and Giorgio Gikas, there were a lot of people who helped out along the way (even if their contribution was brief, it still helped to achieve the goal). This was truly a team effort. I know that I will probably forget someone, so if you read this post and felt you helped in some way, give me a holler and I'll add you to the list.

First and foremost, thanks need to be said to Dick Rassel and the law firm of Butzel Long. Butyl Long has a connection with the aquarium that goes back 100 years, I believe, and to celebrate their longevity and their connection with the fishes they put up the money for the design contest. They started it all. Dick seems like a good guy and I hope he is happy with the final product.

Next, the Belle Isle Conservancy and the chair people of the Belle Isle Aquarium, which include Michelle Hodges, Vance Patrick, Jennifer Boardman, Katy Wyerman, and Chris Meister. Some volunteers and staff at the aquarium should be thanked for their support and enthusiasm: Tom Drummy, Carol White, Richard Kik, John MacKenzie, Joe Guibourg, Steven Macklay, Steve Huer and many more!

At Venus Bronze Works where the work was done, my thanks to Giorgio Gikas, Leslie Cislo, James Viste, Cory, Josh Martin, Andre, Zach and Nario.

There were some local businesses who supplied materials for the work or did some actual work for us and all of them were super helpful and great to deal with. The staff at Federal Pipe, the guys at Metric Tool, Alro Steel, J&R Sheet Metal...

Brad Shimko and the rest of the guys from the Detroit Fire Department for helping get this sucker to the roof.

The Macomb Daily, WJR and ClickonDetroit for the interviews and coverage.

My wife, Tina, for putting up with me and being supportive during the whole process.

Thanks to all who appreciate such things and for being so patient while this thing was being built.

Today was the last day for the Day Of The Dead show at St. Cece's in Detroit and has all but been taken down. But, here are the other four pieces that were on display. They are all framed and can still be purchased from me.